Exercise Assistance Band

ABSTRACT

A band is provided for assisting a user with exercises. The band is configured for attachment to a support structure, such as a squat rack, having first and second arms. The band includes a main body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the main body being formed of a band material having a relatively low hardness. A first loop is formed at the first end portion and is sized to receive the first arm of the support structure. A second loop is formed at the second end portion and is sized to receive the second arm of the support structure.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to exercise equipment, and morespecifically to bands for assisting users during exercises.

BACKGROUND

Bands for assisting with exercises are generally known. These bands aretypically made of latex, are relatively thin (on the order of ¼ of aninch or less), and have widths of approximately one to two inches. Latexbands have been used during exercises to provide either resistance (byopposing movement of the user) or assistance (by aiding movement of theuser). Latex bands have a high modulus of elasticity which generates anexceedingly large force when stretched. The large magnitude force,however, may prevent the use of latex bands in certain exercises, or maynegatively impact the beneficial effect of an exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary band constructed inaccordance with this disclosure attached to a support structure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the band and support structure ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the band andsupport structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the band shown independent of the supportstructure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of one end of the band of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the band and the support structurewith a user initiating a downward movement of a squat repetition.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the band and the support structurewith the user at a lower range of motion during a squat repetition.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn toscale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustratedschematically. It is to be further appreciated that the followingdetailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intendedto limit the invention or the application and uses thereof. Hence,although the present disclosure is, for convenience of explanation,depicted and described as certain illustrative embodiments, it will beappreciated that it can be implemented in various other types ofembodiments and in various other systems and environments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

Embodiments of exercise bands are disclosed herein that are particularlysuited for certain exercises. The exercise bands may be made of arelatively soft material and have a thickness and width sufficient tosupport the body of a user during exercise routines. The exercise bandsare particularly suited for attachment to a support structure and may beconfigured for attachment to multiple different points of a givensupport structure.

In some applications, the exercise band may be attached to a squat rackat a height above a base surface that is sufficient to aid a user duringexecution of a squat, such as approximately at the rear thigh of a user.With the band at this position, the buttocks of the user will engage theband as the user executes the squat motion. As the user reaches thelower range of motion during the squat repetition, the exercise bandwill exert a reaction force in a direction opposite the motion of theuser, thereby assisting with a return of the user to an upright positionand providing a spotting effect (i.e., helping stabilize the user duringthe exercise). While the exercise band embodiments are described hereinin connection with a squat exercise, it will be appreciated that theexercise bands may be used in any exercise where a user may benefit fromthe spotting effect provided by the reaction force of the band.

Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of anexercise band 20 attached to arms 22, 24 of a support structure 26positioned on a base surface 27. While the support structure 26 isdepicted as a squat rack, it will be appreciated that the exercise band20 may be used with any type of structure having sufficient strength tosupport the load of both the user as well as any weights the user may becarrying. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 26includes a frame 28 having a plurality of apertures 30 sized to slidablyreceive the arms 22, 24. Accordingly, the heights of the arms 22, 24above the base surface 27 may be quickly and easily adjusted byinserting the arms 22, 24 through a set of aligned apertures 30 at thedesired height.

The band 20 is configured to span a distance between the arms 22, 24 ofthe support structure 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly,the band 20 includes a main body 32 extending from a first end portion34 to a second end portion 36 (FIG. 4). A first loop 38 is formed at thefirst end portion 34 and is sized to receive the arm 22 of the supportstructure 26, while a second loop 40 is formed at the second end portion36 and is sized to receive the arm 24 of the support structure 26.

In the illustrated embodiment, the band 20 includes terminal ends thatare coupled to intermediate points along the band to form the first andsecond loops 38, 40. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the first end portion34 of the main body 32 has a first terminal end 42 formed at a lateralend of the main body 32 and a first connection point 44 located at anintermediate point along the main body 32. The first terminal end 42 isfolded over the main body 32 and coupled to the first connection point44 to form the first loop 38. Additionally, the second end portion 36 ofthe main body 32 has a second terminal end 46 formed at an oppositelateral end of the main body 32 and a second connection point 48 locatedat an intermediate point along the main body 32. The second terminal end46 is folded over the main body 32 and coupled to the second connectionpoint 48 to form the second loop 40. In some embodiments, the first andsecond end portions 34, 36 may define a plurality of first and secondconnection points 44, 48 to permit adjustment of the size of the firstand second loops 38, 40 and/or the effective length of the main body 32of the band 20.

As best shown with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, fasteners may be providedto secure the first and second terminal ends 42, 46 to the first andsecond connection points 44, 48. For example, a first fastener 50 maysecure the first terminal end 42 to the first connection point 44, whilea second fastener 52 may secure the second terminal end 46 to the secondconnection point 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener50 includes a bolt 54 sized for insertion through the first connectionpoint 44 (or a selected one of the plurality of first connectionpoints), a first washer 56 bordering the first terminal end 42, a secondwasher 58 bordering the first connection point 44, and a nut 60threadably received on the bolt 54. Similarly, the second fastener 52includes a bolt 62 sized for insertion through the second connectionpoint 48 (or a selected one of the plurality of second connectionpoints), a first washer 64 bordering the second terminal end 46, asecond washer 66 bordering the second connection point 48, and a nut 68threadably received on the bolt 62. In the illustrated embodiment, twofirst fasteners 50 and two second fasteners 52 are provided. In someembodiments, a cover (not shown) may extend over the ends of the bolts54, 62 to prevent direct contact between the user and the bolts 54, 62.In still other embodiments, the fasteners may be omitted and theterminal ends 42, 46 may be joined to the first and second connectionpoints 44, 48 by fusing, adhesive, or other methods.

The band 20 is formed of a band material having a low hardness and astretch limit such that the assistance provided by the band 20 isrelatively subtle. In some embodiments, for example, the main body 32 ofthe band 20 is formed of a band material having Shore A Durometerhardness less than approximately 45. Additionally or alternatively, theband material may have a stretch capacity of at least 300%. As usedherein, the term “stretch capacity” is used to identify a ratio betweena normal length of the main body 32 when it is in a normal or relaxedstate and a stretched length of the main body 32 when it is in astretched state and has not failed. An exemplary material meeting thesecriteria is pure gum rubber. In alternative embodiments, the bandmaterial may be polyurethane.

Still further, the band 20 may be configured to engage a relativelylarge area of the user while having sufficient strength to support theload of both the user as well as any weights the user may be carrying.In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body32 of the band 20 has a width “W” of at least approximately four inchesto provide a large surface area for engagement with the user.Additionally, the main body 32 of the band 20 has a thickness “T” of atleast approximately ½ inch to provide sufficient strength to carry theintended load without breaking. Still further, the main body 32 of theband 20 may have a length “L” of approximately forty inches tofacilitate use with typically sized support structures such as squatracks. While specific dimensions for the width W, thickness T, andlength L are identified above, it will be appreciated that otherdimensions may be used without departing from the scope of the claimspresented herein.

In one application, the band 20 may be used to assist with a squatexercise. When used to assist with squats, the arms 22, 24 of thesupport structure 26 are disposed at a squat height above the basesurface. With the arms 22, 24 at this elevation, when the band 20 isattached the main body 32 will be positioned approximately at the rearthigh of the user. When the main body 32 has a width W at leastapproximately four inches, as noted above, it provides a surface that issufficiently large to receive the buttocks of a user. Additionally, whenthe band material is pure gum rubber or similar material, a thickness Tof at least approximately ½ inch is sufficient to support both the userand the additional weight carried by the user. As the user begins thedownward motion of a squat repetition, the user's buttocks will engagethe band 20. Due to the low hardness and stretch capacity of the bandmaterial, the initial resistance provided by the band 20 is relativelysmall. As the user continues downward motion, however, the resistanceprovided by the band 20 will increase such that, at the lower range ofmotion during the squat repetition, the exercise band will exert areaction force in a direction opposite the downward motion of the userthat is sufficient to assist with the upward return motion of the user,thereby helping the user return to an upright position. Additionally,the band 20 increases the safety of the exercise by helping stabilizethe user during the exercise.

While use of the band 20 in a squat repetition is specifically describedabove, it will be appreciated that the band 20 may be used in otherexercises. For example, the band 20 may be used in a manner similar tothat described above in conjunction with assisted rack pulls, Romaniandead lifts, single leg squats/pistol squats, assisted pull-ups,abdominal exercises, single leg glute bridges, stability push-ups, orother exercises.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that while only certainembodiments have been set forth for the purposes of illustration,alternatives and modifications will be apparent from the abovedescription to those skilled in the art. These and other alternativesare considered equivalents and within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A band to assist with exercises for use with asupport structure having first and second arms elevated above a basesurface, the band comprising: a main body extending from a first endportion to a second end portion, the main body being formed of a bandmaterial having Shore A Durometer hardness less than approximately 45; afirst loop formed at the first end portion sized to receive the firstarm of the support structure; a second loop formed at the second endportion sized to receive the second arm of the support structure.
 2. Theband of claim 1, in which the first and second arms of the supportstructure are disposed at a squat height above the base surface, and inwhich the main body has a width sufficient to receive a buttocks of auser and thickness sufficient to support at least a weight of the user.3. The band of claim 2, in which the width of the main body isapproximately four inches and the thickness of the main body isapproximately ½ inch.
 4. The band of claim 3, in which the main body hasa length of at least forty inches.
 5. The band of claim 1, in which themain body is deformable from a normal state, in which the main body hasa normal length, to a stretched state, in which the main body has astretched length, in which a ratio of the stretched length to the normallength defines a stretch capacity, and in which the band material has astretch capacity of at least 300%.
 6. The band of claim 1, in which theband material comprises pure gum rubber.
 7. The band of claim 1, inwhich the band material comprises polyurethane.
 8. The band of claim 1,in which: the first end portion of the main body defines a firstterminal end and a first connection point, the band further comprising afirst fastener to secure the first terminal end to the first connectionpoint to form the first loop; and the second end portion of the mainbody defines a second terminal end and a second connection point, theband further comprising a second fastener to secure the second terminalend to the second connection point to form the second loop.
 9. The bandof claim 1, in which: the first end portion of the main body defines afirst terminal end and a plurality of first connection points, the bandfurther comprising a first fastener configured to secure the firstterminal end to a selected one of the plurality of first connectionpoints to form the first loop; and the second end portion of the mainbody defines a second terminal end and a plurality of second connectionpoints, the band further comprising a second fastener configured tosecure the second terminal end to a selected one of the plurality ofsecond connection points to form the second loop.
 10. The band of claim9, in which the first fastener comprises a bolt sized for insertionthrough the selected one of the plurality of first connection points, afirst washer bordering the first terminal end, and a second washerbordering the selected one of the plurality of first connection points.